A key imaging system and method for identifying and matching a key blank with an original key when duplicating an original key by placing the key on a supporting flat surface and forming images of the grooves and indentations on the shank of the original key by illuminating the lateral surface containing the grooves and indentations and imaging those grooves and indentations by reflecting light off of the surrounding reflective surface and scattering light off of the grooves and indentations. The resultant images are scanned and recorded by means of a digital video camera/scanner. The scanned image is relayed to a computer where it is saved in computer memory. The saved image is compared to previously stored known original key blank images for the purpose of indicating a precise duplicate key blank matching the original key.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
1. A key imaging system wherein a key comprises a head and a shank, said key head and shank each having a first side and a second side, said first side having light reflective surfaces and having grooves and indentations which scatter light, said system comprising: a supporting flat surface for supporting said key lying on its second side; a light source oriented relative to said supporting flat surface to illuminate said first side of said key head and shank, said light source illuminating said grooves and indentations; and recording means for recording light reflected by said reflective surfaces of said key head and shank as a first shade and imaging said grooves and indentations of said key head and shank which scatter light as a second shade different from said first shade.
2. A key imaging system for identifying and matching a key blank when duplicating an original key, said original key having a key head and a shank, said shank having a length and at least one side with a light-reflective surface, said side having a pattern of grooves and indentations defined therein which scatter light, said system comprising: a supporting flat surface for supporting said original key, said original key disposed with said side with said grooves and indentations facing up; a light source disposed above said supporting flat surface to illuminate and image said light-reflective surface side of said shank having said grooves and indentations; and recording means for recording light reflected by said light-reflective surface of said shank as a first shade and imaging said grooves and indentations which scatter light as a second shade different from said first shade.
3. The key imaging system of claim 2 wherein said key head also contains grooves and indentations and wherein said light source is also positioned above said key head to illuminate and image said key head which reflects light as a first shade and wherein said key head has grooves and indentations which scatter light as a second shade such that the resulting image reveals said grooves and indentations in said key head of said original key.
4. The key imaging system of claim 2 further including a computer device for selecting a key blank having a similar pattern of grooves and indentations to that of said original key based on an analysis of the areas of the key defined by said first shade and the areas of the key defined by said second shade.
5. The key imaging system of claim 3 further including a computer device for selecting a key blank having a similar pattern of grooves and indentations to that of said original key based on an analysis of the areas of the key defined by said first shade and the areas of the key defined by said second shade.
6. The key imaging system of claim 4 further including an identifying device within said computer device for comparing the size and shape of said key head, said pattern of grooves and indentations of said shank and the length of said original key to similar features of a key blank for proper matching.
7. The key imaging system of claim 5 further including an identifying device within said computer device for comparing the size and shape of said key head, said pattern of grooves and indentations of said shank and the length of said original key to similar features of a key blank for proper matching.
8. A key imaging method comprising the steps of: providing an original key having light reflective surfaces and having grooves and indentations defined therein which scatter light; supporting said key; providing light from a light source; illuminating said key with said light, with portions of said light that strike said light reflective surfaces being reflected and with portions of said light that strike said grooves and indentations being scattered; and recording on a means to record an image of said reflected light as a first shade and said scattered light as a second shade.
9. The method of claim 8 further including the steps of: comparing said image of said original key with stored images of key blanks; selecting a key blank having similar features to that of said original key.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said steps of comparing and selecting are performed by a computer.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
September 27, 2000
September 10, 2002
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